Ba'el

By: Ginomo

Based on the TNG episode, "Birthright Part II." While aboard the Enterprise, Worf traveled to a Romulan prison camp and fell for Ba'el, the daughter of the Romulan commander and one of the Klingon prisoners. Years later, the Dominion War brings Ba'el to Deep Space Nine and back into Worf's life.

Chapter 4

Ezri Dax found a kiosk on the promenade and pretended to be intensely interested in whatever the merchant was selling. She was across from the replimat, where a familiar pair was sitting and having lunch. In the last few weeks, Worf and Ba'el had become a fixture around the station. Meals shared on the replimat, holosuite reservations; Worf was even voluntarily going into Quark's and actually enjoying it.

Ezri was trying to convince herself that she wasn't being intrusive; she was just looking out for Worf. Who was this woman anyway? Worf didn't like anyone, yet this woman Ezri has never heard of before appears out of nowhere and just like that he's living with her and spending all his free time with her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ezri could see Worf stand and walk away, leaving Ba'el alone at the table, but not before gently placing his hand on hers. And was that a smile he gave her? Ezri paused, thought a moment, and then headed for the chair Worf had just left empty.

"Ba'el?" Ezri asked, as if she didn't remember her name.

"Yes?"

"Hi, um, we met in Quark's…"

"Yes?"

"I just was wondering how you're adjusting to life on the station?" Ezri felt so awkward. Jadzia would have known exactly how to weasel her way into Worf's private life.

"I'm doing well. I'm sorry, your name escapes me..."

"Ezri," she took that as an invitation to sit. She didn't get the impression Ba'el was making the connection between herself and Jadzia, "Station's counselor."

"Counselor? So people come to talk to you about their problems?"

"More or less."

"I can't imagine what it must be like to take on everyone else's issues, especially in light of the war going on."

"I enjoy getting to know people, to know their stories and what makes them who they are. A good counselor just helps a person discover themselves, that's all."

"I feel like that's what I'm doing every day here, discovering a little more about myself."

Ezri smiled, "That's good. So you're going to stay, then?"

"I'd like to. I guess that depends on Worf."

"On Worf?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Commander Worf. Do you know him?"

Ezri felt her stomach clench a little. She shifted her legs anxiously, "I, I haven't been on the station long but I know Worf," and after a little nervous laugh, "Everyone knows Worf, he's kind of hard to miss."

"Well, I think I'm still trying to figure him out."

Ezri smiled, "Let me rephrase- everyone knows who Worf is. I don't think anyone really knows him."

"I thought I did," Ba'el began, "We met years ago and became very close, but things are different. I'm not sure where we stand now..." Ba'el let her voice trail off.

It didn't take a Starfleet trained counselor to read Ba'el right now; Ezri could tell by the yearning, wistful look on her face that she loved Worf. And like other women before her, she was learning that loving Worf was not easy.

"Worf takes relationships very seriously," Ezri stopped herself, she didn't want to let on that she knew Worf as well as she did, "I mean, Klingons take relationships seriously. It won't take him long to make his intentions clear. Then again, I'm sure you already know that."

"Actually, I still have a lot to learn about how Klingons do things. Worf is teaching me."

This was getting more and more interesting. This woman, a woman who didn't even look fully Klingon, was getting lessons on how to be one from Worf. Ezri felt like she had more questions than answers now.

"Well, believe or not, I'm rather well versed in 'The Way of the Warrior' myself. If you ever need any supplemental knowledge, feel free to ask," Ezri replied with a smile.

"Thank you," Ba'el returned the smile.

"So is that her?"

"Mmm Hmm."

"She's beautiful."

"Yeah, I know."

"So what's the problem?"

"She hasn't left his side since she got here."

It had been several days since Ezri spoke to Ba'el. Now it was she and Sisko sitting on the replimat having their morning coffee. Worf was off duty today and she and Benjamin spotted Worf and Ba'el walking along the promenade together. The pair was on the upper level near the view ports. They stopped for a moment, Worf pointed in the distance and Ba'el looked out into space. After a moment, the wormhole opened, lighting up the sky. Ba'el's eyes lit up right along with it. A huge grin spread across her face and when she smiled up at Worf, he smiled back. Worf placed his arm around her waist and gently pulled her closer as they both gazed at the swirling colors of the wormhole.

Ben watched Ezri watch them. He stroked his beard as he thought about how to approach this, "And that's a problem?" he finally asked.

"I don't know anything about her. She says she knows Worf from years ago, but Worf never mentioned her to Jadzia. I can't figure out where she came from or what she's doing here."

Sisko took a sip from his cup, "You think Worf can't handle himself with a pretty lady?"

"Of course he can," she paused, "He's just very vulnerable right now. He's never been good at this kind of thing."

"He was good enough for Jadzia," Ben pointed out.

"Jadzia knew Worf, she knew what he needed and how to handle him. This woman doesn't know him like I do."

Across the promenade, Ba'el and Worf were heading away from where they'd been standing and towards the habitat ring. Ba'el had her arm looped in Worf's the same way Jadzia used to. Ezri felt her stomach clench the way it did every time she saw them together.

"Like you do?"

"Well, I meant, like Jadzia."

"Old Man," Ben began, "When you decided to stay here on the station you had to know there was a very real possibility that you'd be seeing Worf move on with someone else."

"Well, of course, Benjamin. I just don't want him to get hurt. He's been through so much already."

"You know, you and I have had the privilege of being friends through three of your lifetimes. After all that, I imagine it would be very hard for me to watch you live your life without being able to be a part of it. And we weren't married."

"You think I'm jealous, don't you?"

"I didn't say that."

"Well, I'm not. I'm just worried."

"Worf's a big boy, he can take care of himself. But it could mean he might get his heart broken a time or two."

Ezri shook her head, "I can't let that happen to him," she whispered.

"Worf lost his wife, but you also lost your husband. Watching him take the first steps towards moving on can't be easy."

Ezri opened her mouth to speak, to object, but she couldn't find the words. She had never thought about the end of her life as Jadzia Dax in that way, but it was true. Worf had been her husband and now he was not. It was understandable that Worf be allowed to grieve that loss, but she hadn't given herself the same consideration. And now, seeing him with someone else was overwhelming.

"I… I need to get back to my office," Ezri stood and quickly and left, before Sisko could see her eyes filling with tears.

"I think I might be hopeless," Ba'el said handing her weapon to Worf as they entered their quarters.

Worf couldn't argue with that, "No matter, there are many other ways to serve the Empire."

"What about you? You are obviously a trained Klingon warrior, but you live here, amongst all these other species."

Worf bristled. He normally got defensive when someone questioned why he was in Starfleet and not the Klingon Defense Force, but he remembered who was asking, "It is… complicated."

Ba'el sat, "Tell me."

"After the Romulan attack on Khitomer, you know I was rescued by humans. The Starfleet officer and his wife who took me in became my adopted parents and I was raised by them, first on a small farming colony and then on Earth. When I was old enough, I followed in my adoptive father's footsteps and joined Starfleet. But all the while I devoted my life to studying the ways of my people. Now, I am able to serve both the Federation and the Empire. "

"You are torn between two cultures like I am. You may not be part Human, but Humans are still part of your life."

Worf nodded, "I suppose that is correct. And it has never been easy."

"You've taught me a great deal about our people and culture since I've been here. Yet there's so much out there, I'd love to experience something from another culture as well."

Worf thought a moment, "I think I know just the thing."

It had been months since Worf stepped through the doors of Vic's. Unlike the other times when Worf preferred an empty lounge, this time there was crowd of holographic patrons beginning to take their seats. Ba'el gripped Worf's arm nervously as they entered the holosuite.

"What is this place?"

"It is a recreation of an establishment on Earth."

"It reminds me of Quark's," she said.

"It is similar. But I thought it was a good way to show you some human cultural practices," he led her to a table near the dance floor.

Vic was getting the band warmed up when he saw Worf enter. He never came in here at the start of a set like this, and most certainly never brought a date with him before. Vic had to stop by their table to speak to him.

"Pally! Long time no see!"

"It has been a long time," Worf replied, "And that is probably a good thing."

Vic laughed, "Hey, you're always welcome here no matter what. So, who's the lovely lady?"

"This is Ba'el."

"Vic Fontaine, I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to meet you," Vic said with a big smile. He reached for her hand and placed a kiss on the center of it. No one had ever done that to her before, Ba'el gave Worf a puzzled look.

"Thank you, it is nice to meet you Vic Fontaine," she said quietly.

Vic looked at the two of them, he might not know Klingons but he knew men and women. This was good. This was very good, "I'm gonna make sure the band puts on a special show for you two."

The lights dimmed and the music started. Vic thought very carefully about which songs he wanted to play and which ones to avoid. He decided to start with "Come Fly with Me."

"This is definitely different from Klingon opera," Ba'el remarked.

"Very. But I have learned to have an appreciation for it."

She looked around and could see couples standing from their chairs and moving to the open spot in the center of the room. They were standing closely, holding hands and moving in in time with the music.

"What are they doing?" she asked.

"Dancing."

"Have you ever done it?"

Worf thought a moment before deciding to answer honestly, "Yes. But, rarely."

She laughed at the hesitation in his voice, "Well, then I won't ask you to."

As they sat quietly listening to the music, Worf stole a glance at Ba'el who was smiling and taking it all in. It was hard not to be smitten by her endearing innocence. Everything was new to her, everything was an experience to learn from and Worf had the honor of sharing moments like this with her.

Having her here with him these last few weeks had been better than he'd anticipated. He initially only agreed to let her stay because he knew she had nowhere else to go and Worf felt responsible for her. But, as the days went on, he looked forward to seeing her when he got home from his duty shift and enjoyed spending time with her. His home wasn't empty anymore and Ba'el's presence calmed the turmoil that was within him.

Worf stood and extended a hand, "Would you like to dance?"

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

"Well, okay," Ba'el stood and took his hand.

Worf led her to the dance floor and pulled her close, closer than they had been to one another since she arrived.

"What do I do?" she asked.

"It is not difficult. Follow my lead, step where I step… just not on my feet."

She smiled, "No promises."

Vic saw the two of them together and decided to segway into "The Way You Look Tonight."

"I am glad you are here," Worf said quietly to her.

"I am too. I have missed you so very much, Worf. I know that a lot has happened for you over the years but nothing has changed for me. Nothing."

On Carraya IV, Worf fell hard and fast for Ba'el. It didn't make any sense; she was a half Romulan that was ten years younger than him and completely oblivious to everything he held dear. Yet, he was drawn to her in a way that he could not explain, both then and now.

In that moment, Worf remembered her mother's words from years ago, You are a man, and she is a woman. He leaned toward her and kissed her lips gently. Worf pulled his mouth away from hers, but Ba'el wanted more and kissed him again. Her hands looped around his neck as the kissed deepened; she decided she liked this dancing thing very, very much.

"Thank you for tonight. I really enjoyed it."

"You are welcome."

"I suppose I should turn in for the night…"

Worf nodded, "Yes, well, good night."

They stood before one another at the door to Worf's bedroom that had become Ba'el's. They were as close as they had been earlier that night dancing at Vic's. After a moment, Ba'el reached down and took Worf's hand in hers, "I can't let you keep sleeping on the couch," she whispered.

"Does that mean you want to switch?" Worf asked with a smirk.

"No," She reached up and touched his face, "That means I want you to sleep with me."

The desire in Ba'el's voice was palpable and Worf could no longer resist. His arms were around her instantly, he pulled her body close into his and kissed her again. Ba'el gripped his shoulders and let herself sink into his embrace. In an instant, she could feel herself being lifted into his strong arms. Worf walked her over to his bed before placing her gently onto it. He was consciously reining himself in, not quite sure Ba'el's bones were ready for a lesson on the full extent of Klingon passion.

Worf watched her as she slowly removed her dress, revealing that which he hadn't seen in six years. It all came back to him and she was just as beautiful as she had been then. Worf's uniform came off much faster and when he lied down next to her, Ba'el took a moment to run her fingers over his muscular body. There was an assortment of raised scars all along his chest and arms that she didn't remember being there before. Instinctively, she brought her lips to them, placing kisses on each one. Ba'el wanted nothing more than to heal every part of Worf.

With Worf lying on his back Ba'el straddled his thighs, letting her long hair cascade over him and her breasts press against his chest. He felt intoxicated, enveloped by her in every way. Everything else disappeared and it was just him and what he felt for this woman right now. Worf's hands made their way down to her hips. He paused and looked into her eyes; Ba'el let him know this was exactly what she wanted without saying a word.

They moved together as one, their dance from earlier that night had taken on an entirely new rhythm. Worf buried his lips in the soft folds of her neck and while he wasn't looking, Ba'el reached over to the picture on the bedside table and quietly placed it face down.

Hope you enjoyed the little Dax cliffhanger! I really went back and forth about whether to set this before or after Jadzia's death but ultimately went with after because I felt that it would have been too far out of Worf's character to even consider being unfaithful to his wife. I have a fanfic, "The Perfect Mate" that explores Worf's fidelity, but it is set before they are married. Even with Jadzia being dead, in the coming chapters Worf will still wrestle with what it means to honor his wife.